wfn.org | WCC Participants Address "God of Many Names"

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

NCC12/18/98       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WCC ASSEMBLY PARTICIPANTS CALL ON THE "GOD OF MANY NAMES"

 HARARE, Zimbabwe ---- Ghanaian theologian Mercy Amba 
Oduyoye, speaking during the WCC's 8th Assembly, addressed 
the "God of Many Names."  Throughout the Assembly, in both 
worship and plenaries, participants from the four corners of 
the earth called some of those names - Barefoot God; Center 
God Who Runs Out to the Periphery; God Our Refuge, Hope and 
Light; Father, Savior; Gentle Christ; Brave Jesus.

 What names for God were on the lips and in the hearts 
of Assembly participants?  Here are some:
 
 Abigail Damasane, Family of God Church, Zimbabwe: "We 
don't just say, 'Hello, Mr. Smith.'  If you are master of 
ceremonies and you present a person held in high esteem, you 
don't just make them stand up, you have to hail them.  Then 
they stand up mightier.  We hail God the King, the Messiah, 
the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Provider."

 Rt. Rev. Everson T. Sieunarine, Presbyterian Church in 
Trinidad and Tobago: "In the Caribbean we speak of a 
Liberating God who always frees, whether it's women from 
psychological or physical bondage, people from abuse, youth 
to think and imagine their future, people not to be enslaved 
by politicians.  He's always God beyond my ways, my color, 
my creed."

 Rt. Rev. Zebedee Masereka, Church of the Province of 
Uganda: "Sustainer.  He makes sure that what He has created, 
He will hold onto.  He makes sure He sticks on you."

 Rev. Mihail-Daniel Lungu, Romanian Orthodox Church: 
"God's being and essence aren't known to us.  On the other 
hand, we may know God from His Creation, the aspirations He 
puts in our minds, and the effect of His actions on us.  God 
is the Good One - Good Without Comparison. The Right One - 
Above Any Idea of Rightness.  Loving - Above Any Idea of 
Love.  God of Spiritual Beautifulness."

 Suzanne Mpoyo, Methodist Church, Democratic Republic of 
Congo:  "In our language, Kiluba, the first name we are 
using is God of the Multitude of People.  Second is Father 
of Creation.  When we see the mountains and the beauty of 
creation, we speak of The One Who is Modeling."

 Rev. Philip L. Freier, Anglican Church of Australia: 
"God Who is Accepting, Healing, Forgiving.  God Who is Judge 
of All History."

 H.G. Mar Cyril Aphram Karim, Syrian Orthodox 
Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East: "The personal 
names - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  And the attributes - 
Mighty, Comforter, Saviour."

 Mabel Abeka Mills, Organization of African Instituted 
Churches:  "Where I come from in Ghana, the names come in 
the context of prayer - God the Creator, Forgiver of Sins, 
Our Supplier; God Who Gives Us Grace and Understanding; Our 
All-Sufficient God; God the Father of the Needy, Husband of 
the Widow, and Redeemer of the Oppressed."

 Aruna Gojer, Church of South India: "Loving God, 
because I am experiencing Him in every moment of my life.  
If I go astray, He's always with me."

 Hee Sook Lee, Presbyterian Church of Korea: "Merciful 
God, Loving God, God of Justice, God with Minjung Grassroots 
People, Mother God, Redemption and Salvation God, Womb God."

 Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Church of England:  "Vulnerable 
God, which for me connects to being barefoot.  Growing up in 
Jamaica, we only wore shoes to church and school, and the 
school ones were dilapidated.  We were prone to be injured.  
There's a certain nakedness that's not pretentious.  Weeping 
God, connecting with our tears."

For More Information: http://www.wcc-coe.org or 
http://www.ncccusa.org

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